Reinforced concrete construction.



E. F. CRANE. REINPORCBD CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1908.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

' a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. I'. CRANE.

REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APILSO, 1908, 1,087,644, Patented Feb. 17, 1914 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. F. CRANE. REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30, 1908.

Pantentedlf Feb. 17, 1914.

a sBnTs-BHBET a is illl WW CF. d MJ EDWARD F. CRANE, OF NEJVARK, NEW JERSEY.

REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented nel. 17, i914.

Application filed April 30, 1908. Serial No. 430,103.

4 To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD F. CRANE, citizen of the United States, and resident of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of.

New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reinforced Concrete Construction, of which the following is va specification.

My invention relates to that type of metallic-reinforced concrete construction formed with hollow spaces therein and particularly adapted for use in floor and ceiling construction.

The invention has for one of .its objects to improve reinforced concrete construction of the type lreferred to by combining with the concrete a metallic-reinforcing structure of a character to impart a maximum strength to the concrete with a minimum weight of metal.

The invention has for a further object to provide an improved metallic-reinforcing structure for concrete construction that may be made up as a complete unitary structure independent of the concrete, whereby it may be made up in anyedesired or convenient place and be capable of subsequent assocla'- tion with the concrete without further work than the mere placing of the sa-me in position to have the concrete poured or otherwise located thereabou-t.

These, and other objects of my invention to be hereinafter referred to, are attained by means of the novel features of construction and combinations of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a metallicreinforcing structure for concrete con` struction embodying certain features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a concrete body having associated therewith the metallioreinforcin-g structure show-n in Fig.l 1. Fig. 3 is al detail View in section and elevation of a tloor and ceiling construction embodying another form `of my invention.` Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the saine taken on a line through the center of one of the arch-plates. view in section and elevation of a floor and ceiling construction showing'another form and application of my invention. Fig. 6 1s a further detailed view in section and elevation of the same looking from the right in Fig. 5. Figs. 7 to 2O inclusive show various Fig. 5 is a detail' modifications and applications 'of my invention, all to be hereinafter referred to in the detailed description of the invention which follows.

A reinforcing structure embodying my invention will preferably comprise a series of alternating arch-plates and bars arranged parallelwith each other, and a plurality of supporting strips arranged transversely beneath said arcli-plates and bars and sui-tably secured thereto, as shown generally iu Fig. l. The arch-plates will preferably be formed of sheet metal and will also preferably be provided with a stiifening rib or ribs and with a broken or interrupted surface at or adjacent tot-heir lower side to promote i the adhesion thereto of the concrete or other cementitious material. These arch-plates may also be variously formed in cross-section to meet the requirements of either the maker or user. For instance, in Figs. 1 land 2, each arch-plate 2 is of true arch form and provided with aV lower or base wall 3 resting upon the transverse supporting strips Li, to which latter the arch-plates are secured by suitable fastening means, such for instance as wire-lacings 5 passed .through suitable openings in the said parts as shown. Instead of the lower or base wafll of the Varch-plate being formed-by a part or extension of the plate itself, however, as shown in Figs. l and 2, it may be formed by transversely-extending wire lacings Yor rods as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which illustrate a bottom and end view respectively of an arch-plate so constructed, the arch-plates being indi' cated at 6 and the wire-lacings or rods at '7 This 'lower or base wa'lll serves to stiifen and strengthen the arch-plate by preventing liability of spreading or contracting of the saine at its base, and in any event will preferably be formed with a broken or interrupted surface to promote the adhesion thereto -o'f the concrete or other cementitious material; .this broken or interrupted surface, where the lower or base wall is formed by 'a :part or extension of the arch-plate itself, being provided by punching or otherwise form-ing openings 8 in the metal as shown.

In some instances, in lieu of forming single arch-plates, I form a plurality of them,

either b connecting two or more together at their-a jacent longitudinal edges, as shown in Fig. 20, or by forming the same of a single piece of metal as shown 1n Flgs. 8, 9 and los 10; this latter form, when made up with a single underlying base plate 9 as shown, being the preferable form of construction 'in that it provides a more sti and rigid structure. One of the advantages of'this double 'form of arch-plate, otherv than the feature of strength and rigidity referred to, is thatvit necessitates the use of less false-work in building up the concrete construction in that it is necessary to support the double archplates only at their outer basey edges. 1t will of course be understood that this double arch structure may be formed in any desired manner, the same as shown in Fig. 8 being formed by bringing the edges of the sheet metal together at the' upper side of the base plate, and as shown inFigs. 9 and 10 said edges being brought and secured together at the center of the base plate-itself.

ln making up these arch-plates of sheet metal I also preferably provide the same with stitfening' ribs which may extend longitudinally of the plates, as indicated at 10 1n Figs. 1, 2 and 5 and at 11 in F ig. 17, and transversely of the lates, as indicated at 12 in Fig. 14, which getter illustrates a side elevation of an arch-plate so formed. Also, the arch-plates will preferably be formed at their ends with radially-extended flanges 13 as an additional stiening means, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 which illustrate an end and side elevation respectively of. an archplate so formed.

The arch-plates will iisually and prefer-- ably have a true arch form as shown and described, but they may be otherwise and variously formed provided they serve the same pur ose. For instance, in some cases l may emp ,oy tubing, as indicated at 14 in Fig.l 18, the upper part of which the arch, and the lower art of which pro-v vides a lower or base walljto the4 arch, which Alower or base wall will also have a broken or interrupted surface formed by providing perforations 15 therethrough to promote the adhesion thereto of the concrete.

In some instances 1 also form these archplates with a plurality ofchambers in order to further increase the non-conducting properties of the same. This may be accomplished by providing the arch-plates with partitioning walls of any suitable character, one form of which is shown as an inner tube 16 supported about centrally within 'the outer plate by means of interposed strips 17. The same result may also be accomplis-hed by associating together a series of tubes as shown in Fig. 19, the outer Walls 18 of which would serve as the arch-plate, and the inner or Vadjacent Walls 19 of which would serve as the partitioning/walls. l

arch-plates as hereinbefore described are preferably secured to the transverse stiiening strips 4 by wire-lacings 5, and the reinforcing bars, indicated at 20, are also rovides theme44 preferably secured to said strips t in their position between the arch-plates by similar means, as indicated at 21.

The buildin ofreinforced concrete constructionembo ying my invention Will vary somewhat according tothe character of the work. For instance', in building upy a slab or a beam. as' shown in Fig. 2 for floor or other construction, a thin bed of concrete c may first belaid upon a suitable false-work, indicated at 22, then upon this thin bed of concrete will be placed the metallic-rein-l forcing structure, after which the concrete 0 will be poured about and above said structure, the whole forming a metallic-reinforced concrete slab or beam having a series of arches 23 With intermediate beams 24 which are substantially rectangulaiin cross-section; the arches being supported and reinforced by the metallic arch-plates andthe beams ybeing supported and reinforced by the metal bars, the latter being located at the lower or tension side of the beam in the general plane of the base of the arch-plates and the whole metallic structure bein so disposed within the concreteas to 'impart a maximum strength thereto with a minimum weight of metal. The several parts of the f metallic-'reinforcing 'structure of the slab or beam being secured in fined relation to each other prior lto their association with the concrete, will maintain such relation during the subsequent association therewith of the concrete and so assure perfect alinement of the arches and beams. 1n the building up of this reinforced concrete construction, the ends of the arch -plates will preferably be closed or sealedy to prevent the running thereinto of the concrete, and this sealing may be effected by ittinga suitable plate 25 within the end of the arch-plate. The position Aof this sealing yplate within the arch-plate will vary accordiu to conditions: for instance, for very ligt work the sealing late may be located at the eXtreme end of t e arch, as indicated at a in Fig. 1, in which event no concrete will enter the arch-plate, or for heavy work or where the end of the arch is intended to rovide a bearing, the said sealing plate wil be set a short distance into the arch, as indicated at b in Fig. 1, so as to permit the concrete entering and forming a solid endto the arch. These sealing plates also serve as a means to support the arch-plates transversely and add to the'cornpressive strength of the this bed 26 independent of the bottom Wall 4of the metal arch whereby it will remain in-- tact and in position in the event of the bottom Wall of the metal arch becoming distorted in any Way under the action of the heat, I form the side Walls of the arch.

plates adjacent to their base with inwardlyextended shoulders 27 Which serve to vertically support the bed 26 at its edges. The arch-plates being thus formed with the in- Wardlyturned shoulders 27 at their base, also thereby provide for the formation of laterally-projecting shoulders 27 in the concrete Which extend beneath the said shoulder portions 27 of the archplates and operate to vertically support said. archfplates and also the concrete bedor slab 26 therein. The use of the concrete bed 26 Within the metal arches is also of advantage in that it avoids the necessity of applying any ce- 'mentitious material to the under sideof the metal arches .When those arches are provided With lower or base plates, which latter in such case may be plain, or be stamped or otherwise formed to present an ornamental appearance. This is of special advantage inasmuch as it avoids the expense of plastering after the false-Work is removed.

In some instances it may not be necessary or desirable to connecttogether the metallicreinforcing elements as a unitary structure prior to their association With the concrete, in which event the metal arch-platesand bars maybe separately handled and posi tioned during the course of the construction, as indicated in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive, in which the transverse supporting and tie strips 4 lare omitted. In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a concrete slab, reinforced by metal arch-plates 27 and bars 28 in accordance with my invention, is formed to rest upon a concrete beam 29 alsoreinforced by a metal arch-plate and bars in accordance with my invention. In this construction I also show a second series of air chambers 30 running transversely to the chambers 23 and in position above the same,

Awhereby the construction will be lightened Without reducing the strength of the same. In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a concrete slab, also reinforced in accordance with my invention, is formed for support by steel beams 31 and preferably for support onra concrete ledge 32 located on said beam. In this instance the arch-plates, instead of being provided with base plates as a part of the same, are closed at their under side by metal lathing 33 to which 37 which will connect-at their lower end with the underlying base of the arch-plates and extend at their upper end into the concrete and operate to support and prevent sagging of the said base.

In some instances it may be desirable to give the sheet metal arch-plate an added strength and stiffness, and as a simple and effective Way of doing` this I provide the same With a juxtaposed layer of stiffening material, as indicated at 38 in Fig. 7, which may be. of Wood, metal, concrete, or other material. y

Among the advantages derived from the use'of the metal arch-,plates as described is that they avoid possibility of weakness in the concrete beams that might result from the concrete running into the air spaces or chambers, as does sometimes occur in those constructions employing terra-cotta blocks or similar readily breakable.material for lproviding the air spaces or chambers. A further and important advantage derived from the use of the metal arch-plates is that they increase the compressive strength of the concrete by reason of the location of the upper part of the plates adjacent to the upper surface of the concrete slab; this compressive strength aforded by the arch-plates being materially increased by Areason. of the longitudinal stifening rib or ribs with which they are provided.

In producing the above described reinforced concrete construction it is to be understood that applicant is not to be limited in his invention to the order of the steps as described in building up this iuvention, but the order may be arranged in anyl practical manner to produce withgreater accuracy and for the purpose of convenience' this reinforced concrete construction.

What I claim is:

ico

1. The combination with a cementitious Ido 2. A cementitious body having a. metallic reinforcing structure comprising anarchplate having inwardly extended shoulders at its oppositesides, and a bed of cementitious material contained Within the'arch- 'plate and engaged by the said shoulders therein.

3. A metallic reinforced cementitious body comprising a series of alternating arches andbeams, the arches being supported and reinforced by metallic arch-plates and the beams being substantially rectangular in cross-section and being reinforced by metals lic bars embedded therein, and the said cementitious body being provided With a series of openings extending transversely of the arches therein.v

4. A metallic 'n'forced cementitious body comprisingl a series of alternating arches and beams, the arches being supported and reinforced by metallic Aarch-plates. having stiffening ribsI and the beams being subtantially rectangular in cross-section and being reinforced by metallic bars embedded therein, and the said cementitious body being provided with a series of openings eX- tending transversely of the arches therein. l v5. A cementitious body having a metallic reinforcing structure comprising an archplate having linwardly extended shoulders at its opposite sides, and a bed of cementitions material contained Within the archplate and engaged by the said shoulders therein; the said cementitious body having a part thereof engaging the said shoulders of the arch-plate at the outer side thereof to vertically support and' retain the arch.-

plate vvithin the cementitious body.

6. A cementitious body having ya metallic reinforcing structure comprising an archplate having inwardly extended shoulders at its Aopposite sides, and a bed of cementivtions material contained Within the arch-plate and engaged by the said shoulders; the said cementitious body having a part thereof engaging the said shoulders of the arch-plate at the outer side thereof to vertically support the arch-plate Within the cementitious body.

7. That improvement in the art of producing a reinforced concrete construction Which consists in forming an arch plate of a continuous sheet of metal open at the top thereof from end to end, placing the arch plate in position, introducing cementitious material into said arch plate through the opening inthe top onto the base of the arch plate, closing the said opening, and then filling in concrete around the arch plate. i

8. That improvement in the art of producing a reinforced concrete construction s which consists in forming an arch plate of a continuous sheet of metal vopen at its top continuously and in a longitudinal direction, introducing cementitious material into said arch plate through the opening in the top onto the arch plate base, closing said opening, placing the arch plate in final position, and then filling in concrete around the arch plate.

9. That improvement in the art of prol ducing reinforced cementitious construction which consists in forming an arch plate of a4 contlnuous imperforate sheet of metal open at lts top, introducing cementitious material onto the base of the arch plate through said open tcp, closing the top of the arch plate, placing the arch plate in its vfinal position, and filling in cementitious material around the arch plate. p g

Signedv at New York, in the countyof New YorkfandState of New Xlork, this y 28th day of AprihA. D. 1908.

EDWD. F. CRANE. Witnesses:

H. W. SMITH, Jr., E. R. Bannows. 

